Breaking it down like Bobby Brown, 1-5

I'll let Bobby stick to coming up with catchy tunes like 'Humpin' Around'. He told me to take care of breaking down the first football poll.

Here's my first question regarding the initial USA Today Coach's poll of the 2008 season. How many coaches actually voted as opposed to say sports information directors? I mean, would anyone be surprised if Bobby Bowden had his caddy fill out the ballot?

(First place votes)

1. Georgia (22)
2. Southern California (14)
3. Ohio State (14)
4. Oklahoma (3)
5. Florida (5)

I said it before, I'll say it again, I find it awfully interesting that the national media is picking Georgia number one right now and the SEC media picked Florida number one. By the way, the SEC media also still refers to their corn dog side dish as "freedom fries."

Observation from Capt. Obvious, you've got the same number of coaches picking USC number one as there are picking OSU number one.

I mean, you don't get hard-hitting analysis like this just anywhere folks.

CBSportsline's Dennis Dodd recently asked whether or not the "Ohio State backlash" will manifest itself in the polls. He's not the only one I've seen asking the question.

Unfortunately college football (to my knowledge) is the only sport that takes into account what happened last season (or previous seasons) to ultimately help determine who plays for this year's title. It is a flaw.

This issue has never been more clearly illustrated then it was last year. A reporter for the Sacramento Bee with a vote in the media poll was asked who he would rank higher, LSU or South Florida if they both had the same record. Instead of deferring to some observation about the schedules, this nit wit said he'd vote LSU higher "because they have more history and tradition."

Nice logic buddy. Thank God we have significantly less-biased computers somewhat offsetting the random idiot with a vote.

Based on the initial poll, it does not look like the Buckeyes are getting the shaft. The bias might not manifest itself until the very last poll though. Better off to just run the table and remove any doubt. We'll work on that one.

Here's the other thing about polls. By and large, the people voting in polls watch as much football as you do, sometimes less. They watch the same highlight shows as you do, sometimes less. Basically, any college football fan with a triple-digit IQ is as qualified to fill out a ballot. Sorry Arkansas, looks like you're out.

Every coach and media member is dealing with the same facts the rest of us have when they're voting. That's why the coach's poll and the Harris poll are usually all but identical.

Southern Cal is getting an awful lot of support for a team only returning four starters on offense.